Looks like Redhat is feeling the pressure, with more and more developers being Debian/Ubuntu based, they want to stimulate people to use RHEL instead by giving away free RHEL subscriptions:

QUOTE

We want to do our part to help developers succeed, which is why today, as part of the Red Hat Developer Program, we are making Red Hat Enterprise Linux available for developers via a no cost development subscription.

So, why did we do this? As DevOps processes and agile software methods become the primary means for creating software, it is critical that software developers have access to the same environments and tools during their development phases as they will use when they push out their software into production. Especially as they build applications for cloud environments. And we expect Linux to be key to future success.

Which is exactly why I'm not interested in a RHEL subscription, even at no cost. I don't see why I have to enter into a complex contractual agreement with Redhat and provide them lots of personal info only to obtain FOSS software which is available without any contractual agreement (other than the terms of the releveant FOSS license) from numerous other sources.

Redhat has gotten rich by selling subscriptions primarily to large corporations and government entities, but still doesn't have much of a foothold in SMEs and in the internet startup world. If they want to conquer these markets too they will have to completely re-think their subscription model.

Which is exactly why I'm not interested in a RHEL subscription, even at no cost. I don't see why I have to enter into a complex contractual agreement with Redhat and provide them lots of personal info only to obtain FOSS software which is available without any contractual agreement (other than the terms of the releveant FOSS license) from numerous other sources.

Redhat has gotten rich by selling subscriptions primarily to large corporations and government entities, but still doesn't have much of a foothold in SMEs and in the internet startup world. If they want to conquer these markets too they will have to completely re-think their subscription model.

Agreed I won't get a redhat subscription when it's the same os is avaible through other sources, such as scientific linux and centos. I don't get why so many companies get a rhel subscription, we use rhel at work and I've never had to contact rhel support, and that's officially what you pay for is support which I think also includes updates. Since you can buy extended support for once a rhel version is EOL, but you pay alot extra on top of your normal subscription to get extended support.

If you use the Red Hat Subscriptions for any other purposes, you are in violation of Red Hat’s Enterprise Agreement set forth below and are required to pay the applicable subscription fees, in addition to any and all other remedies available to Red Hat under applicable law. Examples of such violations include, but are not limited to,

using the services provided under the Program for a production installation,

offering support services to third parties, or

complementing or supplementing third party support services with services received under the Program.

Hmm, would posting instructions here on this forum be categorized as "offering support services to third parties, or complementing or supplementing third party support services with services received under the Program"? For example, if I sorted out some technical problems with the assistance of the RHEL community then posted a How-To here on this forum, could that be interpreted as a "violation of Red Hat’s Enterprise Agreement"?

If you use the Red Hat Subscriptions for any other purposes, you are in violation of Red Hat’s Enterprise Agreement set forth below and are required to pay the applicable subscription fees, in addition to any and all other remedies available to Red Hat under applicable law. Examples of such violations include, but are not limited to,

using the services provided under the Program for a production installation,

offering support services to third parties, or

complementing or supplementing third party support services with services received under the Program.

Hmm, would posting instructions here on this forum be categorized as "offering support services to third parties, or complementing or supplementing third party support services with services received under the Program"? For example, if I sorted out some technical problems with the assistance of the RHEL community then posted a How-To here on this forum, could that be interpreted as a "violation of Red Hat’s Enterprise Agreement"?

A very interesting question, and based on the wording, it sounds like the answer is yes.